How do I get my son to stop grinding his teeth.

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Stephanie - posted on 03/31/2012

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Unfortunately, you're going to have to let him. All children grind their teeth at some point and its due to him/her going through growth changes. Teeth are are moving and permanent teeth growing all the time. Having worked in the dentistry field for many years now that is many parents concern. Children's body's are constantly going through changes and grinding is just a way they deal with the changes just as adults grind when they are stressed. If it continues when he had ALL his permanent teeth then a night guard should be made so he doesn't wear his teeth down but as far as now that he only has baby teeth in place there isn't really anything you can do.

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Julia - posted on 04/01/2012

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Sometimes it is a sign of intestinal worms and there is a medication for that. Little kids love to play with dirt and can absentmindedly then put their fingers in their mouth, It happens much more often than you would think.

"Teeth grinding: Bruxism - abnormal grinding, clenching, and gnashing of the teeth - has been observed in cases of parasitic infection. These symptoms are most noticeable among sleeping for children. Bruxism may be a nervous response to the internal foreign irritant

My son is 9 and still grinds his teeth at night. I worry about his teeth, but have asked the dentist and he said he would never use a mouth guard for it. He said he would eventually outgrow it. My daughter used to do it as well and no longer does at age 12. I guess I agree, I would probably worry more at young ages about them having something in their mouth all night. Way more risky then just letting it go. Good Luck - It is one of those things that bothers the parent more than it does the child.